Police seek subject who ran from fire scene

Published: March 16, 2003 7:00 PM

The search continued Monday for a man who reportedly ran from a burning Byesville Road home Friday afternoon, leaving the injured occupant. And city police are asking for the publics assistance in locating him.

Anyone with knowledge of the man, or who may have seen him at the scene, is asked to contact the Cambridge Police Department at 439-4431, said Det. Greg Clark.

The man whose identity has not yet been positively established and was described by witnesses at the scene as a black male wearing a white T-shirt is believed to have confronted the homes occupant, Jonathan Ball, shortly before the blaze erupted at the home.

Ball suffered burns to much of his body, and was transported by United Ambulance Service to Southeastern Med, before being transferred by life flight to The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. Neither his condition nor admission status were known as of press time.

According to police reports, officers arrived at the scene about 1 p.m. and found the house engulfed in flame and Ball lying on the ground nearby, covered with a neighbors blanket. Reportedly barely able to speak, he told Ptl. John Caprita, [name deleted] was [expletive deleted] on top of me ... he was trying to kill me.

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Caprita spoke with two men who said they observed the unidentified man help Ball from the burning home, then drop him and flee westward through a yard and alley as they approached.

City firefighters arrived and brought the blaze under control.

Dave Duhamel, fire investigator with the city department, said the investigation into the blaze continued, but an electric lamp, apparently knocked over during a confrontation between the two men, ignited a padded chair.

Donations may be made to the Ohio Hills chapter of the American Red Cross. Call the chapter house for information, 432-3558.